Tibetans worldwide have been registering to vote in the forthcoming elections for the post of Sikyong, or Prime Minister, and other members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The date for registering, originally June 30, was later extended by the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration at Dharamshala to August 30. Every individual Tibetan has to register, using their Green Book (a voluntary contribution book for Tibetans), at their respective settlement offices. “Those who have registered at the 2010-2011 election, do not need to register this time, the registration is done once in a life time” said the under secretary Tenzin Norbu.
Mr Sonam Choephel Shosur, the Chief Election Commissioner, has announced that the date of preliminary election for Sikyong and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament is slated for October 18 this year, and the final election will be held on March 20 next year.
As the Tibetans gear up for the upcoming election there is a growing awareness in the community for the need for maximum voter turnout for the elections. Jigdral an individual Tibetan started a hash tag chain #Greenbookchallenge on Facebook to encourage Tibetans across the globe to register. “I chose Facebook because it is widely used by Tibetans of all ages including the monastic community. Moreover, it is our collective duty as Tibetans to vote for a good leader” he said, and continued saying that Tibetans are taking more responsibilities, especially the Tibetan youth across the globe, knowing their rights and duties lie in coming out to take part in this election.
The election commission is also working hard to set up polling booths to reach out to the maximum number of members of the scattered Tibetan population in exile. “The commission will set up polling booths at any location where there are more than 50 Tibetans living, by sending their list of voters to the commission” said an officer of the Election commission.
The 2016 general election will elect the fourth directly elected Sikyong (formerly Kalon Tripa) and the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Keep up to date on election issues by following this link to our election news page: Election 2016
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